Today is National Haiku Poetry Day. Haiku poetry is a form of Japanese poetry that is non-rhyming and normally consists of 3 lines with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5.  Haiku poems are usually inspired by an element of nature, a season, a moment of beauty or an individual experience or event.  Sensory language is used to capture a feeling or image. A famous example follows.

              From Haiku: This Other World
              Richard Wright (1908-1960)

                        Whitecaps on the bay:
                        A broken signboard banging
                        In the April wind.

As soon as I read those three lines I could feel the wind blowing, hear the sign banging against a building and see the churning waters in the bay. I almost went to get a sweater.

Now I’ll try a couple;

Easter dinner ham

Baskets full of chocolate

Children run and laugh

 

Daffodils yellow

Green leaves bursting forth on trees

Rain blowing sideways

 

 Not quite the same quality of Mr. Wright, but you get the picture. It isn’t difficult. The key is to activate the five senses and stick with the syllable count. You try it.

I’m going to a poetry reading class tonight. The description said it was for  people who don’t have time to belong to a formal book club. My ulterior motive is to meet the teacher, a lady my Veteran’s writing group would like to have speak. I’m sure it will be a beneficial evening. Maybe my Haiku will improve.